Dinnerware including a transparent portion for displaying changeable decorations

ABSTRACT

A piece of dinnerware can be readily adapted for use at a particular holiday or other occasion by providing a transparent window in the dinnerware and then placing an insert bearing a decoration specific to the relevant holiday or occasion behind the dinnerware so that the decoration on the insert is visible through the transparent window in the dinnerware. A holder on the underside of the dinnerware may be formed to hold the insert in place behind the dinnerware.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of dinnerware, meaningdinner plates, bread plates, dessert plates, bowls, tumblers, glasses,silverware, and any other implements used in dining for any meal of theday. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel pieceof dinnerware that provides a transparent portion through which adecoration may be displayed. The decoration may be changed as desired bythe user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Throughout history and across many cultures, it has beentraditional to conduct both business and entertainment while eating ameal. Dinner parties, business lunches, and the like provide animportant forum for entertainment, socialization, and the conduct ofbusiness. Consequently, the atmosphere or ambiance created by the placeand circumstances of a meal may be as important as the meal itself. Forthis reason, many restaurants and other eating establishments, as wellas private dinner party hosts and hostesses, go to great lengths toprovide the proper decoration and décor for a meal.

[0003] Dinnerware and other eating utensils used at the meal may be animportant element in this ambiance. It will be readily known by thosewho work in this area that properly decorated and selected dinnerwareand other eating utensils can add to the theme or ambiance of anoccasion. In the past, however, accommodating the many holidays andother potential occasions at which a meal may be served has required arestaurant or private host to maintain many different sets of dinnerwarein order to have a set appropriate to each and every possible occasion.This obviously entails a considerable expense in obtaining, maintaining,and storing multiple dinnerware sets and accompanying eating utensils.For example, a restauranteur may be obliged to obtain a first set ofdinnerware decorated with a Christmas motif to be used at the ChristmasSeason, a second set of dinnerware decorated with a patriotic motif tobe used on and around the 4th of July, and a third dinnerware setdecorated with a Thanksgiving motif to be used on and around theThanksgiving Season.

[0004] Additionally, if the restauranteur desires to provide somevariations in the decorations on the dinnerware as pertaining to asingle holiday, that restauranteur must obtain, for example, multiplesets of dinnerware decorated with different Christmas motifs for useduring the Christmas Season. While the restauranteur may be able to bearthe expense of such attention to detail in his or her dinnerware due tothe commercial strength of his or her establishment, those who entertainprivately will be much less likely to have the means to afford andmaintain such an array of dinnerware appropriate to various occasions.For this reason, the overwhelming majority of dinnerware, particularlyfine china, sold currently bears some general decoration, which is notspecific to any particular holiday or occasion.

[0005] Consequently, there is a need in the art for dinnerware that canreadily be adapted to any and all special occasions so that arestauranteur or private host or hostess may readily provide dinnerwarespecific to the occasion without incurring the expense of obtaining andmaintaining many differently decorated sets of dinnerware.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention meets the above-described needs and others.Specifically, the present invention provides dinnerware that can readilybe adapted to any and all special occasions so that a restaurateur orprivate host or hostess may readily provide dinnerware specific to theoccasion without incurring the expense of obtaining and maintaining manydifferently decorated sets of dinnerware.

[0007] Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will beset forth in the description which follows or may be learned by thoseskilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing theinvention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achievedthrough the means recited in the attached claims.

[0008] To achieve these stated and other objects, the present inventionmay be embodied and described as a piece of dinnerware that can be usedwith an insert for providing decoration with the piece of dinnerware,where that decoration can be changed and made specific to a particularholiday or other occasion. In a preferred embodiment, the piece ofdinnerware includes a transparent window through which the decoratedinsert can be viewed; and a holder behind the transparent window forholding the decorated insert to the transparent window. The piece ofdinnerware may be a dinner plate, a bread or dessert plate or a bowl.

[0009] The present invention also encompasses a dinnerware systemincluding: a piece of dinnerware having a transparent window therein;and at least one decorated insert disposed with the piece of dinnerwaresuch that a decoration on the decorated insert is visible through thetransparent window. Preferably, a holder is also provided on the pieceof dinnerware for holding the decorated insert in position with respectto the transparent window.

[0010] The decorated insert may be one of a set of decorated inserts,each bearing different decorations for use with the piece of dinnerware.With such a set of inserts, the system of the present invention mayinclude one or more other pieces of dinnerware having transparentwindows therein, with corresponding additional decorated inserts whichare viewed through the transparent window of the additional pieces ofdinnerware. All of the decorated inserts may bear decorations that aredifferent, but related by a common theme. This place setting may alsoinclude a coaster bearing a decoration that corresponds to thedecoration on the at least one insert. As before, the piece ofdinnerware may be a dinner plate, a bread or desert plate or a bowl.

[0011] The present invention also encompasses the method of making andusing the dinnerware and dinnerware system described above. For example,the present invention encompasses a method of adapting a dinnerwaresystem for use at a particular holiday or occasion by placing adecorated insert with a piece of dinnerware having a transparent windowtherein, such that a decoration on the decorated insert is visiblethrough the transparent window. The method of the present invention mayalso include holding the decorated insert in position with respect tothe transparent window with a holder on the piece of dinnerware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments ofthe present invention and are a part of the specification. Together withthe following description, the drawings demonstrate and explain theprinciples of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a top view of a dinner plate according to the principlesof the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the dinner plate illustrated in FIG. 1according to the principles of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is an illustration of an insert for use with the dinnerplate of FIG. 1 according to the principles of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of the dinner plate and insert of FIGS. 1and 3 showing how the insert is used with the dinner plate according tothe principles of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a top view of the dinner plate of FIG. 1 being used withthe insert of FIG. 3 according to the principles of the presentinvention.

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention inwhich a dish or bowl is used with the insert of FIG. 3.

[0019]FIG. 7 illustrates a place setting according to the presentinvention including the dinner plate and insert of FIG. 5 with amatching coaster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention addresses the problem of having dinnerwarethat is specifically decorated for various holidays and other occasionsby provide dinnerware that holds and displays a decorated insert. Theinsert can bear any type of decoration, including a decoration specificto a particular holiday or other occasion. Moreover, the insert can bereadily changed whenever desired in order to adapt the dinnerware to theevent at which it is used. In addition to inserts that are decorated fora particular holiday or other occasion, the insert can also bear anyother type of decoration, including, but not limited to, an imagepersonalized for the user such as a photo of the user's family, home,etc.

[0021] As used herein, the term “dinnerware” will mean an eating plate,including dinner plates, bread plates, dessert plates, etc.;“dinnerware” will also refer to bowls, tumblers, glasses, silverware,and any other implements used in dining for any meal of the day.

[0022] Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will now be explained. FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of apiece of dinnerware, a dinner plate (100), according to the principlesof the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the dinner plate (100)includes a central window (102) with is transparent. The transparentcentral window (102) is surrounded by an outer portion (101) which neednot be transparent and may bear some decoration or coloring.

[0023] The dinner plate (100), or other dinnerware according to theprinciples of the present invention, can be made from a wide variety ofmaterials. In a preferred embodiment, the dinner plate (100) is made ofglass. Consequently, the central window (102) is clear glass and,therefore, transparent, while the outer portion (101) may be glassbearing any form of decoration or coloring. Alternatively, the dinnerplate (100), or other dinnerware according to the principles of thepresent invention, can be made from plastic material.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the bottom or underside of the dinnerplate (100) illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the underside ofthe dinner plate (100) preferably includes a holder (103). The holder(103) is preferably an annular ridge extending from the underside of thedinner plate (100). The holder (103) may be formed integrally with thedinner plate (100) or may be attached to the plate (100). The holder(103) may completely surround, and be coextensive with, the transparentwindow (102), but is not necessarily so.

[0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a number of inserts (104) according to thepresent invention. The inserts (104) are preferably disc-shaped and maybe made from a wide variety of materials, including, but not limited to,glass, plastic, wood, wood laminates, plastic laminates and composites,paper, cardboard, vinyl, etc. Each of the inserts (104) bears adecoration (105). As shown in FIG. 3, the decorations (105) arepreferably of a wide variety, some of which are suited to represent aparticular holiday or other occasion.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, any and each of the inserts (104) shown inFIG. 3 can be placed in the holder (103) of the dinner plate (100). Thedecoration (105) on the insert (104) then becomes visible through thecentral window (102) of the dinner plate (100). Consequently, the dinnerplate (100) is thereby adapted to provide a decoration appropriate tothe holiday or occasion then being celebrated.

[0027] The insert (104) may be sized so that it is frictionally held inthe holder (103) when inserted. In such a case, the back of the insert(104) may include a handle, e.g., a ring or tab (110), that can begrasped to pull the insert (104) and extract the insert (104) from theholder (103). Preferably, the ring or tab (110) is attached or formed onthe insert (104) such that it can lay flat against the insert (104) whenthe insert (104) and dinner plate (100) are in a place setting. If aring (110) is used it may be preferably sized to accommodate a finger orfingers with which the insert (104) can be extracted from the holder(103).

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates the dinner plate (100) of the present inventionwith an insert (104) placed in the holder on the rear of the plate(100). Through the central window (102), the decoration (105) on theinsert (104) is visible and may appear to be part of the dinner plate(100). By replacing the insert (104) with an insert of appropriatedecoration, the plate (100) can be readily adapted to contribute to theambience of a meal at any specific occasion.

[0029]FIG. 6 illustrates a bowl or dish (200) according to theprinciples of the present invention. As will be apparent to those ofskill in the art, the principles of the present invention need not applyonly to a dinner plate, but can apply to most any piece of dinnerware,including, but not limited to, bread plates, dessert plates, dishes,bowls, tumblers, glasses, etc. FIG. 6 confirms this by illustrating adish or bowl (200) that has been provided with a holder (103) on thebottom thereof to accommodate an insert (104) which will then be visiblethrough a transparent window in the bottom of the bowl (200).

[0030]FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the present inventionthat extends the principles of the present invention to an entire placesetting. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a dinnerplate, bread plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, etc. may be incorporatedinto a single place setting, where each of the various pieces ofdinnerware incorporates a matching insert in a holder on that piece ofdinnerware according to the principles of the present invention.Alternatively, the inserts in the various pieces of dinnerware may notmatch or be identical, but may be related by a common holiday or othertheme.

[0031] Other elements of the place setting may also bear decorationsmatching or coordinated with the decoration on the insert or inserts.For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a coaster (300) bearing a decoration(105) may be included in the place setting. In the example of FIG. 7,the coaster (300) bears a decoration (105) that is identical to thatused on the insert (104) in the dinner plate (100). However, the coaster(300) could instead bear a different decoration that is related to thedecoration on the insert (104) by a common holiday or other theme.

[0032] In addition to the foregoing, the insert (104), and possibly,other dinnerware, such a set of matching coasters, can be decorativelydisplayed when not in use. A holder for supporting the inserts (104) ina highly visible fashion may be used to display to the inserts, etc..Additionally, the inserts (104) can be used as placemats with dinnerwarethat is not specifically adapted, as described herein, to display thedecoration on the insert.

[0033] The preceding description has been presented only to illustrateand describe the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

[0034] The preferred embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication. The preceding description is intended to enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodimentsand with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A piece of dinnerware that can be used with an insert for providing decoration with said piece of dinnerware that can be changed and made specific to a particular holiday or other occasion or otherwise adapted to desires of a user; said piece of dinnerware comprising: a transparent window through which said decorated insert can be viewed; and a holder behind said transparent window for holding said decorated insert to said transparent window.
 2. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a dinner plate.
 3. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bread or dessert plate.
 4. The piece of dinnerware of claim 1, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bowl.
 5. A dinnerware system comprising: a piece of dinnerware having a transparent window therein; and at least one decorated insert disposed with said piece of dinnerware such that a decoration on said decorated insert is visible through said transparent window.
 6. The dinnerware system of claim 5, further comprising a holder on said piece of dinnerware for holding said decorated insert in position with respect to said transparent window.
 7. The dinnerware system of claim 5, wherein said at least one decorated insert comprises a plurality of decorated inserts each bearing different decorations for use with said piece of dinnerware.
 8. The dinnerware system of claim 5, further comprising: one or more other pieces of dinnerware each having a transparent window therein; and one or more additional decorated inserts which are correspondingly viewed through said transparent window of said one or more other pieces of dinnerware.
 9. The dinnerware system of claim 8, wherein all of said decorated inserts bear decorations that are different, but related by a common theme.
 10. The dinnerware system of claim 5, further comprising a coaster bearing a decoration that corresponds to said decoration on said at least one insert.
 11. The piece of dinnerware of claim 5, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a dinner plate.
 12. The piece of dinnerware of claim 5, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bread or dessert plate.
 13. The piece of dinnerware of claim 5, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bowl.
 14. A method of adapting a dinnerware system for use at a particular holiday or occasion, said method comprising placing a decorated insert with a piece of dinnerware having a transparent window therein, such that a decoration on said decorated insert is visible through said transparent window.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising holding said decorated insert in position with respect to said transparent window with a holder on said piece of dinnerware.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a plurality of decorated inserts each bearing different decorations for use with said piece of dinnerware.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising making a place setting with piece of dinnerware and said insert, as well as with one or more other pieces of dinnerware having a transparent window therein; and one or more additional decorated inserts which are correspondingly viewed through said transparent window of said one or more other pieces of dinnerware.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein all of said decorated inserts bear decorations that are different, but related by a common theme.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising disposing a coaster with said piece of dinnerware, said coaster bearing a decoration that corresponds to said decoration on said at least one insert.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein said piece of dinnerware is a dinner plate. 